Barrett brace defeats the Villans
JOSH BARRETT scored twice as Reading Under-23s came from behind to beat Aston Villa at Madejski Stadium.
And it could have been even better for the playmaker had he not seen a first half penalty saved.
The young Royals trailed to a seventh minute Callum O’Hare strike, but turned it around to lead by half-time thanks to goals from Barrett (pictured) and Ben House.
Harry McKirdy put Villa back in front soon after the restart, but Barrett curled in a brilliant winner to earn all three points.
Both sides included one senior pro in their sides with Reading handing Romania international Adrian Popa a chance to impress while Jack Grealish played for the visitors.
Villa did not waste long to break the deadlock, going ahead when Corey BlackettTaylor burst down the right and put in a low cross for O’Hare to tap in at the back post.
But the lead did not last long as Popa sent Barrett away and the forward cut inside before slotting into the far corner.
And Popa provided his second assist on 23 minutes with some brilliant skill on the wing before teeing up House to control and finish.
Royals had a golden chance to take the lead on the stroke of half-time when Ramarni Medford-Smith was tripped in the box, but Barrett’s low penalty was saved by Jed Steer.
Villa levelled up just minutes after the restart when Grealish picked out McKirdy, who beat George Legg from a tight angle. However, back came the Royals and they scored the classy decisive goal on a counter attack with Popa again finding Barrett, who brilliantly angled his shot into the top corner.
The visitors could not find a way back again and Tyler Frost almost added a fourth, striking the post late on.
Victory lifts the youngsters up to third in the Premier League 2 table.
READING: Legg, Holmes, MedfordSmith, Osho, Andresson, East, Sheppard (Howe 45), Holsgrove, Barrett, Popa, House (Frost 33). Subs not used: Rosario, McIntyre, Rollinson. n READING UNDER-18s suffered their seventh defeat of the season, going down 1-0 to West Ham United on Saturday.